This analysis describes what Ancestry's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
The updated policy introduces new data collection and processing practices. Ancestry now explicitly discloses that it collects information from interactions with AI-powered support assistants, in addition to human communications. The policy adds a new photo face-grouping feature that creates abstract numerical representations of images to organize your photo gallery, available with your express consent; Ancestry states it does not retain these representations. The policy also adds SMS messaging as a communication channel, available if you expressly opt in. You can decline the face-grouping feature and SMS messaging by not providing express consent.
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We use information about you, information that we collect from within your account, information that you provide to our customer happiness team, and information about your interactions with the Service to resolve technical issues you experience with the Service.
We may also aggregate and/or de-identify your Data and may use such aggregate or de-identified information for any other purposes to the extent permitted under applicable law and not attempt to re-identify the information, unless required by law.
Comply with applicable laws, lawful requests, and legal process, such as to respond to subpoenas or requests from government authorities
"Classifying, creating image models of, and indexing Your Content (which may include Personal Information) to organize your media, keep our platform safe, and identify your ancestors, places of interest, and other memories.Excerpt from Ancestry's Privacy Statement
We read the privacy policies and terms of service of 38 AI platforms. Here is what they say about training, retention, arbitration, and liability.
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The clause states: “Classifying, creating image models of, and indexing Your Content (which may include Personal Information) to organize your media, keep our platform safe, and identify your ancestors, places of interest, and other memories.”
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 273 platforms. See the full comparison.
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